VPS athletics to host golf tourney
Villanova Preparatory School will host its annual Wildcat Classic golf tournament on May 6 to raise funds to support athletic programs.
The event will be held at the Ojai Valley Inn. It will include lunch, an 18-hole scramble, and dinner with an awards ceremony. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m., and tee-off is at 12 p.m.
Boyd continues strong play for No. 18 Baylor
Photo courtesy of Baylor Athletics
Former Nordhoff High School standout Luke Boyd continues to have a breakout year for the Baylor Bears. The Bears are currently 25-10 on the year and are the No. 18 team in the country. The pitching of Boyd and his teammates is a big reason for the team’s success. Boyd is currently 3-0 with an impressive 1.75 earned run average. In 25.2 innings, the former Ranger has only allowed 12 hits and five earned runs while striking out 32 batters. Opposing players are only batting .146 against the junior. Last season, Boyd finished with a 6.97 earned run average so 2019 has truly been a breakout season. Baylor will take in Texas Tech April 19-20. The Red Raiders are currently 23-12 on the year and are ranked two spots ahead of Baylor in the polls. The April 19 contest will be televised on Fox Sports 1.
Rangers edge Villanova in nine-hole match
Photo submitted
Nordhoff freshman Benny Schurmer has been of the Rangers’ most productive golfers this spring.
With a narrow win over the Villanova Preparatory School, the Nordhoff High School boys’ golf team improved to 4-7 on the season. NHS slipped by Villanova by the count of 246-251 in a nine-hole match. Freshman Benny Schurmer led the way for the Rangers with a 41 (par 36). In other recent golf action, NHS took on St. Bonaventure at Olivas Links but lost 403-493. Both Schurmer and senior Cade Sauer carded scores of 85 for the Rangers. NHS will continue Citrus Coast League play next week. Nordhoff will also be hosting the 29th Annual Nordhoff High School-George Mataisz Memorial golf tournament June 2 at Soule Park with an 8 a.m. shot-gun start. The event is a fundraising tournament to support both the boys' and girls' golf teams at NHS. For more information, contact Sebek at 646-7503 or 794-6731.
Thacher sweeps Villanova on diamond
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Freshman Christian Roe leaps to make a play at second base as a teammate backs him up on the throw.
The Thacher School baseball program cruised to three victories over neighboring Villanova Prep this spring. Back on March 22 the Toads handed Villanova an 8-0 loss in a Frontier League contest. More recently, the two teams met again for a two-game series and Thacher rolled to two more victories after outscoring the Wildcats 47-14 on the two games.
Nordhoff High tennis defeats Hueneme, 14-4
The Nordhoff High School boys’ tennis team dominated the Hueneme Vikings 14-4 on April 11 in a key Citrus Coast League contest. The Rangers were led by the play of Shawn Rothermell, Elias Simon and Tony Syverson who all swept their singles sets. In doubles action, the team of Zach Howe and Syverson also managed to sweep their doubles sets.
So far this season, Simon is 29-4 in singles play while Rothermell is 28-5 and Syverson is 24-3. Howe and freshman Arthur Becker are 8-1 in doubles play this season while Howe and Syverson are a perfect 3-0 on the season. That pair is slated to play in The Ojai starting next week.
Nordhoff Ranger softball team rolls over Malibu Sharks
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News reporter
With the Citrus Coast League championship still on the line, the Nordhoff High School softball crew earned an important 11-0 victory over the Malibu Sharks on April 16. With the win, Nordhoff kept its title hopes alive and hosted the Fillmore Flashes April 18 in a must win game.
Against Malibu, NHS only needed five innings to polish off the Sharks who had no answer for senior pitcher Sidney Wimpee. The Purdue University commit scattered four hits over five innings and struck out 12 batters without issuing a walk. “She did her job, the 12 strikeouts really helped,” said head coach Don Rodarte.
Ojai track and field athletes setting personal best marks
Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
Zach Danino, 8th grader at Ojai Valley School competes in the 100-meter hurdles versus the Camarillo Cosmos and Simi Valley Track Club April 6 at NHS. Danino currently has the 4th-fastest time in the league in this event with a time of 19.19. Ojai head coach Javier Quiroz describes Danino as a "great kid who works hard. Whatever I ask him to do, he listens and performs well during practice."
The Ojai Roadrunners Track and Field Club kicked off its 43rd season recently; and the season is off to a great start for the local youth athletes. The Roadrunners have participated in four meets, including hosting three home meets at Nordhoff High School that has included over 1,000 youth athletes between seven and 16 years old across Ventura County.
Nordhoff softball starting to heat up
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Nordhoff softball star Sidney Wimpee, shown here is a game last season, recently tossed a no-hitter against Santa Paula in a key league contest.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The Nordhoff High School softball team appears to be heating up at just the right time. The Lady Rangers travelled to Birmingham over spring break to take part in the Valley Classic Tournament and notched a thrilling 2-1 win over Poly High School in extra innings. NHS defeated Poly on a walk-off home run by senior star Sidney Wimpee.
NHS golf earns wins over Carpinteria, Santa Clara
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
This spring the Nordhoff High School boys’ golf team is off to a 2-4 start, with its two wins coming over Carpinteria and Santa Clara. Both wins came at Nordhoff’s home course, Soule Park.
According to head coach Dick Sebek, Nordhoff’s top performer this season has been freshman Benny Schurmer, who has recorded low rounds of 83, 84 and 85 in the early going. The team’s top returning player is senior Cade Sauer; and his best round of the spring is 84, which came at Soule Park. Another freshman, Reily Brown, has been solid this season and has low rounds of 86 and 92.
Thacher lacrosse hosts Dos Pueblos
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Thacher sophomore Jeremy Eriksen avoids three Dos Pueblos Chargers in a Channel League game April 9 on the Thacher campus. Despite Eriksen’s strong play, the Toads dropped a close contest to Do Pueblos, 10-9. Thacher will return to action April 16 when they travel to take on the Santa Barbara Dons.
Local baseball teams seek much-needed wins
Ojai Valley News photo by Ken Brown
Mike Weston of Nordhoff High School applies a tag at third base in a game against the Bishop Diego Cardinals earlier this spring.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
With many local high schools pausing for spring break, baseball teams are eyeing the second half of the season with the hopes of collecting some much-needed victories. Over at Nordhoff High School, the Rangers have struggled to a 1-9 record; and they are 1-8 in Citrus Coast League play. Their only win came against the Hueneme Vikings. The Rangers are chasing Malibu and Santa Paula, who are currently 7-2 and tied for first place in the CCL standings. Nordhoff’s next game will be April 10 when they host Santa Paula at 3:30 p.m.
Stringer earns All-American stats at Iowa tournament
Photo submitted
Nordhoff wrestling star Nick Stringer recently took on the best high school wrestlers in the country and returned to the Ojai Valley an All-American.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News reporter
Nordhoff High School junior Nick Stringer recently made the long journey to Northern Iowa University, where he competed in the 2019 USA Wrestling Folkstyle National championships. Stringer, who wrestles at 106 pounds, earned the prestigious status of All-American after defeating Angelo Vigilia of Team Nevada by the score of 3-1.
According to NHS head coach Paul Clementi, Stringer’s 5th place finish and All-American status was a first for a Nordhoff Ranger wrestler. “Nick has had an outstanding three years so far wrestling at Nordhoff. All the more remarkable considering he never wrestled before his freshman year,” said Clementi.
High-performance youth tennis invades Libbey Park
Ojai Valley News photo by Holly Roberts
Local tennis star Bella Moga focuses on a forehand at a high-performance tennis clinic last week.
Mike Miller, Ojai Valley News sports editor
The Ojai Valley Tennis Club organized and sponsored a tennis clinic for promising Ojai area youth players March 30 at all eight courts of Libbey Park. The players were selected by the Ojai Valley Tennis coaches for their ability and enthusiasm for the sport. Over forty young players participated, mostly from the Ojai Valley, with a few Rio Mesa standouts sprinkled in.
Nordhoff track and field prepping for county championships
Photo by Jake Hansen
The Nordhoff High School track and field teams have enjoyed a successful spring; and several athletes have set lifetime best marks thanks to efforts from athletes like Khalifa Darcus and Carla Rodas (shown here in the 4x100 meter relay). After the Rangers return from spring break, they will set their sights on the Hueneme Vikings in a home meet April 10. Then, the team will compete in the Ventura County Championships April 18 at Moorpark High School.